Wrexham captain James McClean stood separately to his team-mates and refused to wear a poppy as the club observed a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday ahead of their fixtures against Mansfield.
Games across the country this weekend will pay their respects to those fallen in war by wearing a traditional poppy on their shirts and holding a minute’s silence but the 35-year-old was pictured standing separately to his team-mates at The Racecourse Ground without the famous flower on his jersey.
The 35-year-old Irishman has stood against the annual tradition throughout his career after he first refused to wear a poppy in 2012. Wrexham fans were heard singing ‘he hates the f—— King’ after the silence concluded to which the former Stoke winger reportedly applauded ahead of kick-off.
James McClean and his lovely family being adored by the Wrexham fans
The Wrexham fans singing “And he hates the f******* King” and Jimmy Mac absolutely loving it
What a man 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/pTCvo3NQsz
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) April 15, 2024
McClean encouraged Wrexham fans to sing anti-Royal Family songs in April which came after Prince William visited the club’s ground to meet players and members of staff.
The Republic of Ireland international posted a screenshot of a story of the incident on his social media with the caption: ‘Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang along at the top of my lungs.’
McClean believes poppy disrespectful to those killed by British soldiers
The former Premier League player explained his decision to not wear the poppy is because he believes it is disrespectful to those who died at the hands of British soldiers in his home nation. McClean says he would wear the poppy if it only commemorated those fallen in World War One and World War Two.
As a result of his decision, McClean has been subject to abuse by fans and is a divisive figure after having previously called for a united Ireland and once posted a picture of him wearing an IRA balaclava in front of his children to teach them a ‘history lesson’.
Speaking previously with the Belfast Telegraph, McClean said: “Yeah, look, maybe I was a bit naive in thinking, you know, with me being the one that took the stand first, it’ll pave the way for young Irish lads coming through, and it doesn’t seem to be the case.
“I speak to a lot of people and I’ve had players say that they don’t believe in wearing the poppy and they wouldn’t wear it, but they just don’t want the hassle.”
Wrexham beat Mansfield 1-0, with Ryan Barnett’s early goal being enough to separate the two sides.
